Brunei Christians Fear Harsh Islamic Law

ICC Note:

The small sultanate of Brunei adopted Sharia law on May 1, 2014 and the courts will start to enforce the harsh Islamic punishments over the next two years. The possible persecution from the laws has been emerging: non-Muslim can no longer share their faith with Muslims and atheists; Christian women are already required to wear head covering; Christian materials are not allowed to be brought to the country; Christians are forbidden to use the Arabic word “Allah”. Despite concerns raised within the United Nations, Western countries are reluctant to intervene, including Brunei’s two major trading partners Netherlands and Britain.

By Stefan J. Bos

05/21/2014 BRUNEI (BosNewsLife)- Brunei’s devoted Christians face a potential crackdown after the sultan introduced harsh Islamic punishments, including flogging and stoning to death, but Western nations appear reluctant to intervene.

“I place my faith in and am grateful to Allah the Almighty to announce that [since] Thursday May 1, 2014, we will see the enforcement of Sharia law phase one, to be followed by the other phases,” said Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, leader of the country’s absolute monarchy government for nearly 47 years.

It is not clear when and if the law will impact commercial relations with key trading partners Netherlands and Britain, despite concerns raised within the United Nations.

The two countries have a lion’s share of Brunei’s foreign direct investment from the European Union, totalling $1.2 billion in 2011, according to official estimates.

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